Wisconsin Issues Safer-At-Home Order Amid COVID-19 Crisis
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has issued a safer-at-home order for Wisconsin residents effective March 24, 2020 to April 24, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What does a safer-at-home order mean for collection agencies? Based on the information provided in the official order, located here https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/WIGOV/2020/03/24/file_attachments/1409408/Health%20Order%20%2312%20Safer%20At%20Home.pdf, GLCCA is interpreting it as follows:
Collection agencies could remain open under the financial institution or professional services category. If the governor hasn’t specifically said that debt collection agencies need to close, then agencies could continue operating until told otherwise.
Agencies will still have to abide by the 10-person maximum gathering limit. If an agency has more than ten employees, it is recommended to have staff work remotely if possible.
We will update this information if more details become available.
UPDATE – 3/25/2020: ACA has clarified the regulations regarding whether collection agencies are considered an essential business:
“Both the statewide and Milwaukee Safer at Home Orders include licensed financial service providers in the list of essential businesses. Agencies licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions should be considered essential business under both orders, however agencies are encouraged to seek their own legal clarification and to use their best judgment when operating under this order.”
Visit https://www.acainternational.org/news/licensing-guidance-from-state-agencies-in-response-to-coronavirus for more information.